The Mikado

Richmond Theatre

15th-20th March 1976

Producer & Choreographer – Maureen Hope-Wynne

Musical Director – Geoffrey Bowyer

Choreographer – Lynne James

The Mikado, or The Town of Titipu, is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert, their ninth of fourteen operatic collaborations.

It opened on March 14, 1885, in London, where it ran at the Savoy Theatre for 672 performances, which was unprecedented for musical theatre pieces, and one of the longest runs of any theatre piece up to that time. Before the end of 1885 it was estimated that, in Europe and America, at least 150 companies were producing the opera.

The Mikado remains the most frequently performed Savoy Opera, and it is especially popular with amateur and school productions. Indeed, The Mikado is one of the most frequently played musical theatre pieces in history!

This was David Casey’s first production with the society. His set was built entirely in house to a budget of £75.

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CAST

The Mikado of Japan – Mr Mike Palette

Nanki-Poo – Mr Ron Sellers

Ko-Ko – Mr Alan Titchmarsh

Pooh-Bah – Mr David Armstrong

Pish-Tush – Mr Richard Manuel

Yum-Yum – Miss Pauline Kendrick

Pitti-Sing – Miss Carol Vinall

Peep-Bo – Miss Sally Hilton

Katisha – Miss Catherine Applegarth

Chorus of Schoolgirls, Nobles, Citizens – Myra Ahern, Rita Ashbourne, Jackie Boot, Philippa Bradley, Sandra Buckland, Jeni Davidson, Joan Flory, Maureen Harris, Betty Jones, Marion McLaren, Zoe Miller, Jane Mitchell, Rosalind Mitchell, Terry Parsons, Sue Searle, Mandy Stenhouse, Anne Tillier, Christine Turtill, Barbara Tailby Weedon, Clive Boot, Ralph Bramley, Geoffrey Buckland, Geoffrey Clarke, Trevor Coffey, Ken Frisby, Trevor Johnson, David Jones, Ken Jones, Martin Last, Richard Matthiae, Sean O’Meara, Alan Middleton, Tim Rowett, Robert Salter, Peter Sporle, Graham Stanley, Gerry Tickner

Dancers – Nicola Brennand, Susan Brittle, Miriam Hill, Alison Thierens, Judith Vandepeer

CREW

Assistant to the Producer – Dick Roberts

Designer – David Casey

Stage Manager – John Mitchell

Assisted by – Barbara McDowell

Property Master – David Casey

Assisted by – Sue Partner & Peter Sporle

House Manager – Peter Brown

Rehearsal Accompanist – Stephanie Underhill

Box Office – Barbara Tailby Weedon

Prompt – Roma Batty

Wardrobe Mistress – Eveleen Horsburgh

Rostra by courtesy of – Gemini Opera & Richmond Shakespeare Society

Wigs by – Chick Trench

Wigs for Messrs Sellers, Titchmarsh & Armstrong – Wig Studios

Scenery Design – David Casey

Scenery Construction – David Casey, John Mitchell & Barbara McDowell

Fans by – George Cook Fan Hire

Costumes – Garrick Theatrical Services

Perruquiers – Moira Raymond & Josephine Palette

BAND

Orchestra – The Limbourne Orchestra (leader Stanley Thompson)